Selfie Dog: Teach Your Pup To Hold The Camera For Viral Photos

Before you and your pup embark on this photographic adventure, you’ll need to gather a few essential items. Safety and fun are our top priorities, so we’ll start with a prop before ever introducing a real camera.

• A Dog-Safe Prop: Start with an object that has a similar shape and weight to the camera setup you plan to use. A hard rubber chew toy, a small kitchen roll tube, or a light, non-splintering wooden dowel works great. Never use something your dog could swallow or break into sharp pieces.
• High-Value Treats: This is the currency of dog training! Forget the boring kibble. You’ll want extra-special treats that your dog absolutely loves, like small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or their favorite soft training bites. The yummier the treat, the more motivated your dog will be.
• A Clicker (Optional): If you’re familiar with clicker training, this is a fantastic tool for marking the exact moment your dog does the right thing. If not, a consistent marker word like “Yes!” works just as well.
• A Lightweight Camera & Mount: Once your dog has mastered holding the prop, you’ll need a camera. A GoPro or a similar small action camera is perfect because it’s light, durable, and can be controlled remotely from your phone. You’ll also need a short, padded selfie stick or a custom-made handle that’s easy for your dog to hold. Safety first: Ensure the mount is secure and has no sharp edges.

Patience is key! This process might take a few days or a few weeks, depending on your dog. Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and always end on a positive note. Let’s break it down.

1. Step 1: Introduce the Prop

   The first goal is to make your dog comfortable with the prop. Start by simply showing it to them. When they sniff it or touch it with their nose, say “Yes!” (or click) and give them a treat. Do this a few times until they are happily interacting with the object. You want them to think, “This thing makes yummy treats appear!”

2. Step 2: Teach the “Hold” Command

   Now, we’ll encourage them to put their mouth on it. Hold the prop out. The moment your dog’s mouth touches it, even for a split second, mark the behavior with “Yes!” and reward them. Gradually, start waiting for them to hold it for a tiny bit longer before you reward them. Once they are comfortably holding it for a second or two, you can add a verbal cue like “Hold.”

   Expert Tip: Don’t try to force the prop into your dog’s mouth. Let them make the choice to interact with it. The goal is for them to offer the behavior willingly.

3. Step 3: Build Duration

   This is where patience really comes in. Ask your dog to “Hold” the prop and slowly count to two before rewarding. Then three, then five, and so on. If they drop it, no big deal! Just go back to a shorter duration where they were successful and build up again slowly. The goal is to get them to hold the item calmly for at least 10-15 seconds.

4. Step 4: Transition to the Camera

   Once your dog is a pro at holding the prop, you can introduce the actual camera on its padded mount. Because it will feel and smell different, you might need to go back a few steps. Let them investigate it, reward them for touching it, and then work on the “Hold” command again, starting with very short durations. Make sure your camera is turned off during this phase to avoid any distracting beeps.

5. Step 5: Strike a Pose!

   Your dog is holding the camera—amazing! Now for the final piece: getting them to look at the camera. With the camera in their mouth, hold a treat right next to the lens. The moment their eyes focus on the treat (and thus, the lens), mark and reward. You can add a cue like “Say cheese!” or “Look!” Once they have it down, you can use your phone’s remote trigger to snap the picture while they hold the pose. Voila! A dog selfie!

Training is never a straight line, and you might run into a few bumps. Don’t worry, it’s totally normal! Here’s how to handle some common challenges.

• My dog keeps chewing the prop! This usually means the training session has gone on too long, or they’re not sure what you’re asking. End the session on a positive note with an easy command they know (like “Sit”) and try again later with a shorter session. Make sure you’re rewarding for a calm, gentle hold, not for chomping.
• They drop the camera immediately. You’ve likely increased the duration too quickly. Go back to basics. Reward for even a one-second hold, and build up the time very, very slowly. The camera might also be too heavy, so consider if a lighter setup is needed.
• My dog is scared of the camera. Associate the camera with amazing things! For a few days, just have the camera sitting on the floor nearby during playtime or treat time. Don’t ask them to interact with it. Let them get used to its presence. Then, go back to Step 1 of the training, rewarding any positive interaction with it.
• They won’t look at the lens. This is all about lure placement. Make sure you’re holding the treat directly on top of or beside the lens so their gaze is naturally drawn to it. You can also use a squeaky toy to get their attention right before you snap the photo.